SALT LAKE CITY -- Twenty years into his heralded time in the NBA, LeBron James didn't mince words when asked about the challenge ahead for the Los Angeles Lakers in order to secure a postseason spot.
"It's 23 of the most important games of my career, for a regular season," James said Sunday before playing in a record-tying 19th All-Star Game. "It's the type of mindset that I have, and I hope the guys will have coming back off the break."
After four championships, 10 trips to the NBA Finals and personal achievements galore, including his recent ascension as league's all-time leading scorer, putting such an emphasis on this late stretch season could come off as hyperbole.